Was itching to get out of the house (and, yes, away from Camera Labs ) and take a stroll through the Nature Park not far from our new place -- maybe read a book for a while too. Brought my camera with me? You bet I did. Read at all from my book? Nope. Once you start clicking away ... can't stop. I'm sure you understand.

The following are a selection of my favorites. I did some minor post-processing (Well, IMHO, it's not overdone--you may think otherwise).

Hi,
I like 4 a lot (I have something similar with a sheep in NZ I took with my film camera almost 10 years ago, the expression on their faces is quite funny). I also like 5, the composition is good and the B&W makes it more special than a color one.

Regarding 2, I like macro, but did you notice that the focus is on the body? I know it's difficult, but in these shots, it's important that the focus will be on the head and not the middle of the body.

Regarding the macro, yes, I did notice the unfortunate mis-focus. But hey, it was the best one of the handful I took of Mr. Grasshopper. Thanks for the tip to focus on the head though. Should've tightened up the aperture (5.6, 8 ) for a wider DoF? Or taken more images?

You're right. Macro IS difficult. Tricky stuff when I set the manual focus as close as possible and lean in and out slowly--well, for one, not to disturb the subject, of course--but, two, to get the focus right.

Well, what can i say. Gotta keep gettin' out there and refining the skill, right?

Hi MrKman,
I don't have many macro photos yet (I plan to buy the Raynox DCR-250 for my 70-200 lens to do some macros soon), but I read quite a lot about that. It's not easy, the best advice I got so far is to practice and then practice some more.

Regarding the aperture, with a proper macro lens, I think people close the aperture to f/8 or even f/11 or f/16, so I guess there is no exception here (if it's possible, depending on the light of course).
Also, moving back and forward instead of rotating the focus ring is a good technique that I've read about.